Counsel Haijan Omar, representing Siti Bainun, informed a three-member Court of Appeal panel that his client’s notice of motion seeks permission to introduce a police report made by Ismanira Abdul Manaf on July 25 last year.

The report was lodged two months after the High Court upheld Siti Bainun’s 12-year prison sentence on May 2, 2024 for neglecting and abusing 13-year-old Bella in 2021.

Haijan said his client only became aware of the police report on March 24 this year.

“Our application also seeks permission to call Ismanira and the fifth prosecution witness in connection with the report,” he told the court.

In response, deputy public prosecutor Asmah Musa told the panel that the police were currently investigating the matter and the prosecution was awaiting the outcome of those investigations.

The details of the report were not revealed in court today.

Justice Azman Abdullah, chairing the appeals panel, fixed June 3 for case management.

Also on the bench were Justices Azmi Ariffin and Choo Kah Sing.

Outside the courtroom, Haijan told reporters that Ismanira’s report contained an allegation against a witness in Bella’s case.

Ismanira and her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, are currently on trial for allegedly neglecting their son Zayn Rayyan. His body was discovered in a stream near their home on December 6, 2023, a day after he was reported missing.

On May 3, 2023, sessions court judge Izralizam Sanusi sentenced Siti Bainun to 12 years’ imprisonment and dismissed her application for a stay of execution.

Siti Bainun was also ordered to sign a RM5,000 good behaviour bond for five years with one surety, and to perform 200 hours of community service within six months of her release.